Mike Rice Fired From Rutgers University

Mike Rice Fired From Rutgers University

Mike Rice, coach of the men’s basketball team at Rutgers University has been fired after some footage aired where Rice abuses players during one of their practice runs.

The nearly 40 minute tape shows former coach Mike Rice, kicking, cursing and throwing basketballs at players during practice. It also contains a lot of homophobic remarks made by Rice throughout the tape.

The tape was viewed by Rutgers president and athletic director in December. They shortly decided to suspend Rice and fine him, but not to fire him. The tape was supplied by Eric Murdock, a former assistant to the team.

Wednesday’s firing of the coach was based on what a Rutgers statement said was “new information and a review of previously discussed issues”.

Many say that the decision came after public pressure and embarrassment threatened the reputation of the University and that the decision to fire the coach might not had come at all without the before mentioned public pressure.

Sport writers also agree that Universities generally look to handle situations like this one in their best interest, putting the welfare of their athletes and students in second place.

While the gravity of the situation is of a much lesser extent, the way the Rutgers director and athletic director handled the Mike Rice incident reminded many of the abuse scandal at Penn State.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Thursday April 04 2013, 5:37 AM EST. Ref: Washington Post. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0